I Luv RI Events Help Support Local Rhode Island Food Pantries

Westerly, Rhode Island... With Rhode Island's hunger rate at an all time high, Washington Trust is conducting its 12th Annual Peanut Butter Drive through the month of March, with butter donations going directly to local Rhode Island food pantries. The Bank will also host a series of I Luv RI events to collect peanut butter donations. Jars of new, unopened peanut butter can be dropped off at any of Washington Trust's 18 branch locations or at the following I Luv RI March events:

"Rhode Islanders have been hit hard by the challenging economy and families are struggling to feed their children," said Joseph J. MarcAurele, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Washington Trust. He added, “Over the past ten years, we’ve fed millions of Rhode Islanders but the need still exists. We’re encouraging everyone to donate just one jar of peanut butter, which can make up to 16 sandwiches.”

Peanut butter is a highly nutritious source of protein and one of the most requested food bank items, because it is loved by children and adults. Due to the rising cost of peanut butter over the years, food banks have continuously had a shortage of the product. “Hungry children across our state are counting on the success of this important peanut butter drive,” said Andrew Schiff, Chief Executive Officer of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. “We deeply appreciate the efforts by Washington Trust and the donors throughout Rhode Island for helping us fight hunger in our State.”

For more information about the 12th annual peanut butter drive, or to get involved, please visit www.peanutbutterbank.com.

The Washington Trust Company is a subsidiary of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc., a $3 billion corporation headquartered in Westerly, Rhode Island. Founded in 1800, Washington Trust is the oldest community bank in the nation and is the largest independent bank headquartered in Rhode Island. A state-chartered bank, Washington Trust offers a full range of financial services, including commercial banking, small business banking, personal banking, and wealth management and trust services through its offices located in Rhode Island, southeastern Connecticut and eastern Massachusetts. The Corporation’s common stock trades on The NASDAQ Global Select® Stock Market under the symbol WASH. Web site address: www.washtrust.com.